The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called for an investigation of alleged Islamophobic and discriminatory behavior targeting a Muslim employee at the Safeway store located at 4370 Montgomery Road in Ellicott City, Maryland.
CAIR also called for corrective actions by Safeway based on the results of that investigation.
According to a formal complaint shared with CAIR, the Muslim employee—who wears a religious garment known as an abaya—was allegedly mistreated and mocked by a male employee who singled out her attire multiple times, stating in part: “You dress like you belong in another country.”
In addition, the Muslim employee reported enduring sustained verbal mistreatment and workplace hostility from a pharmacist dating back to July 2024. The pharmacist allegedly made inappropriate personal remarks about the employee’s physical appearance and professional competence, while also reportedly displaying a pattern of belittling and exclusionary behavior. These incidents allegedly led to a toxic work environment and have had a significant impact on the employee’s mental health and well-being.
The employee has been reluctant to report these incidents internally due to fear of retaliation and concerns over job security, as this is her only source of income.
CAIR is calling on Safeway to take the following immediate steps in response to this complaint:
- Conduct a formal investigation into the reported incidents involving both store and pharmacy staff.
- Implement mandatory cultural competency and anti-harassment training for all employees at this location.
- Ensure transparent, accessible reporting pathways that protect employees from retaliation when raising legitimate workplace concerns.
- Issue appropriate accountability measures for any confirmed violations of company policies regarding discrimination or hostile conduct.
“No employee should feel unwelcome, unsafe, or disrespected because of their faith or background,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “It’s especially troubling that this individual allegedly felt forced to endure such treatment in silence. We urge Safeway to address these allegations with the urgency and seriousness they deserve, and to reaffirm its commitment to a workplace rooted in dignity, equity, and inclusion.”
The civil rights organization has offered to assist Safeway in developing effective training and community education programs to ensure a more inclusive and respectful work environment going forward.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help employers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293